| 3 Comments | Tatta Tameeyonk
Unreliable news sources have become a global issue, from hyped-up television broadcasts to counterfeit news websites. There are plenty of ways to tell if an article or programme is genuine, albeit it may require some time and critical thought. Look for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as overly dramatic language and punctuation, whilst reviewing a news item. Examine the author and publisher, determine if the story has been covered by other news organisations, and use fact-checking sites to confirm a suspicious story.
PART1 EVALUATING a NEWS STORY
1. Look for grammatical and punctuation mistakes. An odd typo in a reliable news source is to be expected, but a high number of spelling errors and bad language are red flags. The material of a credible story should be academically sound. If you notice all-caps words, a lot of punctuation (!!!), or other attention-getting methods, be wary.
2. Check to see if an article is still up to date. Examine the publication date of the news piece, as older stories may contain out-of-current material. Furthermore, someone on your newsfeed may have shared an old story that has been debunked or that is contentious when taken out of context.
3. Look for professional quotes to back up the statements made in the article. The use of credible sources and citations is essential in good journalism. Look for quotes from experts that aren't taken out of context and genuinely support the story's claims.
3.1 If an article is about a new treatment for a sickness, for example, it should include references to specialists who ¬¬ in that ailment.
4. Use a reverse image search to find the image you're looking for. When you right-click an image, you'll see a search option for the image in Google. Other websites that have featured the image will up when you search for it.
A trustworthy news story should feature its own pictures. If you encounter a photograph that looks like it was taken from another source or is a stock photo, be cautious.
5. Identify the goal of the news article. Consider why the article or programme was developed by the author and publisher. What is the purpose of the information, and who profits from its propagation? A trustworthy article should report the facts without attempting to promote an ulterior motive.
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6. Think about how you're feeling after reading the article. Examine your own prejudices and feelings. If the narrative makes you angry or makes you feel self-satisfied about your opinions, it isn't a balanced source of knowledge.
6.1 "Is this story attempting to elicit a strong emotional response?" Is it informative and balanced in tone? Is it preachy or eager to validate a point of view?"
PART2 EXAMINING THE SOURCE
1. Look up the author's other works to see what else he or she has written. Determine who wrote the article and whether they are an authorised source. Examine their prior published works, as well as their educational and professional backgrounds.
EXPERT TIP
ISRAEL VIEIRA PEREIRA, PHD
PhD Student in Text & Discourse, Unisul University
Our Expert Agrees. The easiest way to spot fakes news is to search for the author. It’s usually hard to identify the primary source or the authors. If this is the case, avoid sharing the information. Also, try to go beyond the headlines, which are typically accusative or bombastic when the information is based on speculation.
2. Look for odd URLs, poor website design, and other warning signs. A dubious news website may have a strange URL that attempts to imitate a real news source, such as abc.com.co rather than abc.com. Furthermore, a reputable news organisation's website is well built. Be wary of sloppy, amateurish layout, as well as frequent spelling and grammatical mistakes.
3. Examine the ads placed by the publisher. Read or listen to advertisements that appear on websites, in print, or on television and radio. A news item about a topic that is related to a product or service being advertised is untrustworthy.
Let's say you're reading about a miracle supplement. Don't believe the article if you see adverts for the supplement.
PART3 FINDING OTHER PERSPECTIVES
1. Look for pieces on the subject that have been published by other news organisations. When you come across a news report, do some research on the issue to make sure it's true. Check to see if it's being covered by other news organisations, or if it's simply one source making baseless claims.
The BBC, The New York Times, The Washington Journal, National Public Radio (NPR), and The Atlantic are just a handful of the most well-known news companies.
2. Fact-checkers should be used. There are a lot of websites that debunk fake news stories, in addition to credible news sources. Check if a report has been validated by sites like:
-FactCheck.org (http://www.factcheck.org/)
-PolitiFact (http://www.politifact.com/)
-The International Fact-Checking Network (https://www.poynter.org/channels/fact-checking)
3. Inquire of a friend or family member who is well-informed about the subject. If you're unsure, seek someone who can help you better understand the subject or identify trustworthy sources. It might be a teacher or professor, a librarian, or someone from the industry mentioned in the suspicious article.
For example, bring up a dubious article regarding foreign events with your history or social studies teacher. If you come across an article on a new diet craze, speak with your biology teacher or a medical professional in your social circle.
